Garden
Interview:

Kerry Michaels

You
have to give credit where credit is due. Juggling between
writing, photography, and her container gardens, Kerry Michaels
certainly delivers. Her outstanding
Container Gardening Guide
is an inspiration to thousands and thousands of gardeners worldwide.

Not only does she deliver superb
advice
and
directions
,
but she hands it to us in a very real and comfortable fashion....one
from which beginners and old pros can benefit.

Not only has Kerry written for Discovery
Channel, A&E, Weekly Reader, Disney and Sesame Workshop
she's worked on
The Twentieth Century with Mike Wallace
and the award winning documentary,
River of Steel.

Now
we
get to ask a few
questions and glean from her wisdom. What An Honor!!

1. Our
readers realize that there are numerous methods of gardening that
are available, tell us what drew you to container gardening and why
you've kept it up for so many years.

I love container gardening because the options are limitless. Every
growing season I try to do new combinations and try new plants out.
This past summer I concentrated on growing edibles in containers. I got
a portable greenhouse on Craig's list, so next summer I'm going to
start as many plants as I can from seed.

2. With such a diverse career in
writing, photography, and keeping up
with a famous blog, what is your motivation to keep container gardening?

I don't think I would stop container gardening no matter what. It
is endlessly interesting and satisfying to me. I get a little sick of
it by the end of the summer--all that watering--but just when I start
to get container fatigue, the first frost hits and I have a few months
to get revved up again. By spring I'm like a little kid and just can't
wait until it's planting time and I can go out and play in the
dirt.
Container Garden Pots

3. Can you share with us some of
your favorite, or in your opinion, under-rated, container garden
choices?

I like using
perennials in containers - heucheras of all kinds - lambs
ear, even hostas. I also love passion flower. This summer I grew
Mexican heather for the first time and loved it. It has even survived a
couple of serious frosts, beautifully. I'll stop now because I could go
on for pages - there are so many plants that I'm over the moon about.

4. Living in the state of Maine
since 2001, can you tell our readers some
of the odd growing conditions that you face? Are there any
conditions
that you've never been able to conquer?

Living in Maine is all about having a short growing season. You have to
get your tomatoes started and all your veggies going early so you don't
miss the boat of hot enough weather. There can also be tons of rain and
fog - not great conditions for vegetables. That said, I wouldn't trade
it for anyplace in the world. And it's one of the best things about
container gardening - you can move your plants around - I
roll mine in
and out of the garage to extend my growing season on both ends.

5. With the growing awareness of
pesticide, etc. would you recommend individuals to grow their own
produce in containers?

I grow lots of veggies and herbs in containers. I'm not a big fan
of weeding so it suits me. I do all of my gardening organically - even
for plants I'm not going to eat. I just feel better about using organic
products. I've also read some pretty persuasive arguments that organic
produce is better nutritionally - this point is still arguable, but I'm
betting that in time it will be proven.

6. What, in your opinion, would be
the easiest way for beginners to find inspiration for their next
container garden project?

I find the best inspiration for container gardens is going to the
nursery or looking at pictures. There are so many imaginative and
creative containers out there that it is great to see what other people
are doing and get ideas for plant combinations. My best advice is to
garden how you live. Realistically assess how much time and money you
want to spend and then figure out what you want to plant. That and
really know how much sun an area gets before you choose your
plant.
Before You StartPhotos of Container Gardens

There
you have it. Kerry can provide you with the tools you need to
make wonderful container gardens. Use her knowledge and advice, and the
rest is up to you!

We want to send our sincere thanks to Kerry Michaels for granting us
this interview. Please take some time and check out
Kerry's Container Gardening Guide Blog
and
Forum
While
you're there, subscribe to her Free Container Gardening
Newsletter! I get it, and it's awesome!!